Overview
The Core Program supports the academic goals expressed in Elizabethtown College’s mission statement. It has four major purposes: to provide a sense of mission and purpose to general education, to provide a foundation for successful study in liberal arts and professions, to integrate knowledge across the disciplines by engaging students in the study of the natural world and the human experience, and to develop habits of the mind that foster continued intellectual growth. The Core Program promotes truth, tenable judgments and important ideas by assuring that a student has the opportunity to acquire significant knowledge and accepted methods of inquiry.
An important component of the Core Program is the First-Year Seminar. In addition, students enroll in 10 courses in eight Areas of Understanding. The thematic Areas of Understanding unite the Core Program into a cohesive offering, develop skills of self-education, and integrate knowledge across the disciplines. Any exceptions to Core requirements must be petitioned to the Academic Standing Committee.
Courses in the Core Program are reviewed every three years, with approximately one-third of the courses undergoing review each year. Thus, the Core is fluid, with courses moving in and out. For the current list of approved Core courses, refer to the online list available through the Registration and Records website.
Common Core
Students, who are entering the College for the first time and who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree, must take a First-Year Seminar during their first semester. Transfer students who have completed fewer than 24 credits of course work at another college also are required to complete the First-Year Seminar.
Student Learning Outcomes for First-Year Seminar:
Students will be able to:
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Demonstrate understanding of the academic expectations of college life.
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Demonstrate critical thinking skills.
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Demonstrate improvement in communication skills.
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Discuss the central ideas of a particular body of knowledge or discipline.
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Locate information and evaluate its accuracy, quality, timeliness, and usefulness.
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Exhibit intellectual curiosity.
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Write an appropriately researched and documented academic paper.
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Relate their opportunities for learning outside the classroom to their academic courses, personal interests, and intended program of study.
FYS 100 - First-Year Seminar
4.00 credits.
The First-Year Seminar provides an educational experience that is composed of several important components. First, it develops intellectual skills, such as critical analysis and synthesis, and communications skills, such as speaking and writing. Second, it broadens definitions of learning. The student is exposed to multiple ways of acquiring information and knowledge. Third, the First-Year Seminar establishes the integration of knowledge. Using the instructor’s major field of study as a foundation, this course promotes connections across disciplines. Students will also attend events outside of class such as talks, plays, concerts, art exhibits, and Student Life events. The First-Year Seminar is letter-graded. Register by Instructor.
Areas of Understanding
The Elizabethtown College Core Program consists of eight thematic Areas of Understanding (AU).
Power of Language (two courses)
Students are required to take one English-based course (Power of Language - English) and one Modern or Ancient Language Course (Power of Language - Other) to complete this Area of Understanding.
Courses in the English component of this AU emphasize the use of the English language in logic, rhetoric, and persuasive communication. Students learn to articulate ideas and critically evaluate arguments. Students may complete a writing-based English course (EN 100 ) or, for students who test accordingly, an advanced course (EN 150 or PH 110 ). Students placed in English 100 must successfully complete EN 100 for their Power of Language AU. Students who receive credit for EN 100 (including transfer or AP credit) cannot receive credit for EN 150 . The Power of Language – English course must be taken during the students’ first year or prior to the start of their second year.
Student Learning Outcomes for the Power of Language (English-based) AU:
Students will be able to:
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Construct logical and persuasive argument.
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Read carefully and critically.
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Analyze and synthesize new ideas.
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Explain how language affects thinking and conceptual development.
Courses in the Other component of the Power of Language AU allow students to start or continue the study of a Modern or Ancient Language. These courses come primarily from the Department of Modern Languages.
Student Learning Outcomes for the Power of Language (other) AU:
Students will be able to:
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Communicate in the target language.
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Analyze and synthesize new ideas.
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Explain how language and culture affect thinking and conceptual development.
Mathematics (one course)
This AU develops competency in quantitative reasoning and problem-solving skills. These courses come primarily from the Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences.
Based upon mathematical and analytical skill level, new students are required to take either MA 011 (a college mathematics preparatory course that does not count for Core or graduation credit) or a college-level mathematics course. Students with a placement of MA 011 are required to complete this course prior to enrolling in a Mathematics Core course.
Student Learning Outcomes for the Mathematics AU:
Students will be able to:
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Give examples of contributions of mathematics to the modern world.
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Use inductive or deductive reasoning to formulate and evaluate arguments.
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Model real-world phenomena mathematically.
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Utilize mathematics effectively in problem-solving strategies.
Creative Expression (one course or course equivalent)
Courses in this AU include analysis and interpretation of artistic works. Students focus on creation or performance within a particular artistic discipline. These courses come primarily from the Department of Fine and Performing Arts (Art, Music, Theatre, Dance) and the English department. Students can also use any combination of private music lessons or ensembles equaling 4 credits to satisfy this requirement.
Student Learning Outcomes for the Creative Expression AU:
Students will be able to:
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Discuss concepts employed in the creation and analysis of like artworks.
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Develop and articulate informed aesthetic judgments.
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Create or perform artistic work representative of the discipline.
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Express the intrinsic value of an artistic medium.
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Give examples of the way in which creative art forms show and affirm human feelings, desires, experiences, and/or values.
Western Cultural Heritage (one course)
This AU introduces students to Western culture and history through the critical analysis of significant human endeavors in Europe and the Americas. These courses come primarily from the departments of English, History, Philosophy, Sociology/Anthropology, Religious Studies, Modern Languages, and Political Science.
Student Learning Outcomes for the Western Cultural Heritage AU:
Students will be able to:
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Explain the importance of a specific aspect of Western cultural heritage.
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Describe the historical context of the subject under study.
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Give an illustration of the complexity of the past and its relationship to the contemporary world.
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Give an example of the way that knowledge can be subject to a variety of interpretations.
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Analyze primary and/or secondary sources.
Non-Western Cultural Heritage (one course)
This AU introduces students to Non-Western culture and history through the critical analysis of significant human endeavors in Asia and the Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. These courses come primarily from the departments of English, History, Philosophy, Sociology/Anthropology, Religious Studies, Modern Languages, and Political Science.
Student Learning Outcomes for the Non-Western Cultural Heritage AU:
Students will be able to:
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Explain the importance of a specific aspect of non-Western cultural heritage.
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Describe the historical context of the subject under study.
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Give an illustration of the complexity of the past and its relationship to the contemporary world.
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Give an example of the way that knowledge can be subject to a variety of interpretations.
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Analyze primary and/or secondary sources.
Natural and Physical Sciences (two courses in different disciplines)
This AU explores the natural and physical world through discussion and discovery of major scientific concepts and theories. Students must complete two courses in different disciplines. At least one course must include a laboratory component, which emphasizes “the hands on” nature of science. These courses come primarily from the departments of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics and Engineering.
Student Learning Outcomes for the Natural and Physical Sciences AU:
Students will be able to:
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Describe and apply major scientific concepts of a particular field.
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Explain methods of scientific inquiry.
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Collect (if a lab-based course), analyze, and interpret data.
Social Sciences (one course)
Courses in this AU observe and analyze human behavior, ranging from the formation of the self and family structures to economic trends and the interactions of nations. These courses come primarily from the departments of History, Political Science, Sociology/Anthropology, Psychology, and Economics.
Student Learning Outcomes for the Social Sciences AU:
Students will be able to:
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Discuss and apply major concepts and theories that interpret and explain human behavior and interaction.
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Describe the diversity and/or integration of social worlds.
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Explain the organization and function of one or more social systems.
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Analyze influences that affect human thought, feelings and behaviors.
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Describe the methods and procedures of social science research.
Humanities (one course)
Courses in this AU examine ethical and moral dilemmas, values, and choices from an analytical or critical perspective. Students are engaged in the decision-making process and consider the implications of their choices for self and society. Courses in this AU come primarily from the departments of Philosophy, English, History, Religious Studies, and Fine and Performing Arts.
Student Learning Outcomes for the Humanities AU:
Students will be able to:
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Describe the nature and origin of one or more values that govern human conduct.
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Relate the value or values under study to a fundamental human dilemma.
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Describe the way in which a major work (literary, artistic, historical, religious, or philosophical) contributes to our understanding of values.
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Explain how an individual’s values and choices can be influenced by many factors.
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Apply knowledge about values to a particular ethical situation, moral dilemma or aesthetic judgment.
Additional Requirements and Policies
Students must take at least one Guided Writing and Research (GWR) course beyond their Power of Language – English course. GWR courses can be in any AU other than Power of Language – English. Refer to the online list of Core courses for those designated as GWR.
Courses approved by Academic Council for Core that also are required for a particular major or minor may be used to fulfill both requirements.
Seniors may enroll in Core Program courses to complete Core, major or minor requirements as needed. Seniors may not enroll in Core Program courses for elective purposes until all enrolled underclass students have had the opportunity to select courses during official registration periods in November and April. In this context, seniors include students of senior status and juniors who will achieve senior status at the completion of the current semester.
The Core Program may be satisfied in its entirety by transfer courses (i.e., there is no residency requirement for the Core). Students wishing to satisfy the GWR requirement with an off-campus course must submit a syllabus for evaluation.
Students can satisfy Core AU requirements with transferred courses that are worth at least three credits.
Majors with more than 125 credits for graduation may be allowed to count two courses required of the major in lieu of two courses from the Core. Courses would have to meet the goals for the appropriate AU. Academic Departments may apply to the Core Committee and Academic Council to demonstrate how the major courses satisfy the goals of the AU.
When course requirements for an academic program meet the educational objectives for a Core AU, Academic Departments may petition Academic Council for a waiver of that AU for students completing the program. The course requirements supporting the waiver must be an integral part of the academic program.
Students are required to complete the appropriate level of mathematics, English, and modern/ancient language courses as determined by the College. Once students have completed the appropriate level, they cannot receive credit for taking a lower-level course in the sequence.
The First-Year Seminar may not be substituted for a major or minor course or to waive a requirement for the major or minor.
